Apologies for falling behind on Gothloli of the Week! Amazingly, 100 people have been featured since this blog’s inception. Let’s now widen the net a little… and re-name this feature “Gothloli & Jrock Inspiration.” Meaning I’d love to showcase boys and girls who rock Visual Kei and Harajuku street style — whether it’s decora, kawaii, gyaru, or a mix of everything. Ready to share your story? Email me your answers to the questions below, and at least 3 high-res photos.

† Name: Rose
† Age: 22
† Location: Sechelt, BC, Canada
† How were you introduced to Gothic Lolita/Harajuku/Visual Kei fashion?
I don’t quite remember how I found it, but for sure it was through the internet. I think I was about 11 or 12 when I got interested, and I’ve always worn Lolita style on and off ever since.
† What do you find appealing about the style and culture?
I’ve always loved cute styles, and I like that I can work Lolita in with whatever other style I’m into at the time, whether it’s punk, gyaru, or whatever else my current obsession is! I’ve been in love with antiques and Victorian culture/style forever, and I like how all the Lolita styles have a bit of a Victorian influence. To me it’s a style that requires a bit of class, and I think Lolitas should always have good manners, which is something that I think is important in everyday life.

† What are your favorite Gothic Lolita Punk clothing brands?
Alice and the Pirates, Antique Beast, Sex Pot Revenge, Putumayo, Moi-meme-Moitie, BTSSB, but I love items from many other brands, and like to make my own crazy styles. I also have a huge obsession with Suppurate System.
† Any other comments (inspiration, tips, favorites)?
I think my first inspiration was Kana, I thought she was the cutest! But when it comes to decor and that sort if thing, I read everything I can about Victorian decorating. Also, I’m into taxidermy, and when I see animals, it sounds weird but they inspired many of my creations. For tips I think I would say, just do whatever you like, I never consider what other people will think of what I am wearing, if I like it, even if I’m the only one, thats enough for me, you have to be happy in what you wear. I think that’s what makes a person look good, if you can tell they are happy with themselves.

Film of the Week: The Girl Who Played With Fire (Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist). The take-no-prisoners Goth computer hacker is back! I haven’t read the novels by Sweden’s Steig Larsson but loved the first film, Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. The sequel takes the already-brutal story to a darker and bloodier place. Lisbeth Salander (Rapace) returns to Sweden and is promptly pinned for murder. Who’s after her, and how’s the plan linked to a sex trafficking ring? A blond tank of a hitman and her long-gone father add fuel to the fire. The characterization is refreshingly atypical; instead of a Hollywood damsel in distress, you get a (half?) Asian lesbian lover who fights back. Rapace is a fierce actress throughout, but she’s at her best when she wears Goth clown makeup and tortures a sex pig — that’s the way to do it! The film is in theaters now; thanks to Alliance Films for the preview passes.

Introducing Harajuku Freak, an online purveyor of exclusive, one-off Japanese designer clothing. As many of you know, it’s near-impossible to find cutting-edge Japanese brand labels outside of the country. “So, due to our love of all things different and ahead-of-the-game, and to stop fashion freaks like ourselves having to travel across the globe to get their fix, we have hand picked the most interesting, luxurious and avant-garde labels making waves, and brought them to you.” (These names include Izreel, Motonari Ono, Akira Naka…)

The store is slashing all prices about 60% – so you’re only paying wholesale plus sales tax. And delivery is free worldwide. That’s an incredible deal for cutting-edge clothing you can’t find outside of Japan! Come browse the Japanese men’s and women’s designer clothing on Harajuku Freak’s site before it’s gone.

If you would like to be featured as “Gothloli & Jrock Inspiration,” please email me your answers to the questions above, and at least 3 high-res photos. For Gothic Lolita Punk shopping guides and online stores, check out the links to clothing brands on the right column of my blog.

The next time you buy from Amazon.com, may I ask you to please consider supporting this blog by shopping via my site? Just click here and search for whatever you want from Amazon (there are no extra costs to you).

Thanks so much and please keep in touch (I love hearing from you and try to respond to everyone): RSS feed, posts in your inbox, MySpace, Facebook Group, Facebook Fan page, Twitter, YouTube, Bloglovin and Google Friend Connect (right sidebar of my blog).

† Name: Jeanette
† Age: 21
† Location: Wauwatosa, WI
† How were you introduced to Gothic Lolita fashion?
I found out about the fashion in my later teens looking through various street fashion magazines and fell more and more in love with it until finally I started wearing them myself. Now I co-admin for the Milwaukee Lolita Society!
† What do you find appealing about GL style and culture?
It is beauty. It is a fashion that proves you can be gorgeous and turn all eyes your way without having to bare your chest or wear miniskirts. On top of that, the outfits are so flattering on a variety of body types. Anyone can feel beautiful wearing them! As far as the culture, you feel like a princess. You can be charming and refined and live your life in a completely separate way from how normal life day-to day is. Unless of course you have already made that jump in your lifestyle!
† What are your favorite Gothic Lolita clothing brands?
I have yet to purchase any hugely recognizable label. I do a lot of eBay shopping for more unique dresses that not every other Lolita will have. They also can be custom-made to your measurements! Otherwise I have a vast amount of my wardrobe from Bodyline and get accessories from Forever 21. It’s how you look in the end that matters to me.
† Any other comments (inspiration, tips, favorites)?
Keep an eye open anywhere you shop for pieces you can mix and match with your existing Lolita wardrobe. Also, experiment with different color schemes and combinations. It will keep the fashion fun and exciting. As well, never be afraid to bring friends into the fashion with you. For me, there’s not a lot out there that’s more fun than walking the malls and parks in Lolita with friends.

Film of the Week: Gothic & Lolita Psycho! The trailer has just been released and oh my petticoats. “The film stars actress and gravure idol Rina Akiyama as Yuki, a girl who lives at home in peace until one day a unit of assassins breaks in and slaughters her mother. In order to reveal the truth behind the seemingly senseless murder, Yuki transforms herself into a demon of vengeance by donning Gothic Lolita clothing, wielding a parasol as a deadly weapon, and executing the guilty in the name of God.” Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police makeup director) is on board, so you can expect tons of blood and splatter. If you haven’t seen TGP or Vampire Girl vs. Werewolf Girl, get on Netflix immediately! (You can read Comte de Sang’s review of the latter film here.)

Wahhh! CSN Stores sent my slightly pudgy Scottish Fold cat a giant, rectangular parcel!

What could be inside? The possibilities are endless. CSN has over 200 chic stores with everything you need in life… whether it’s a bathroom vanity, cookware or designer pet accessories. (Hmm, there’s a pawprint on the box…)

Basil Farrow is giving me “the look” so I better open it up… Come back to my blog tomorrow to see the amazing item my kitty received! I can already tell you, it’s too cute for words…

Til then, you can see photos of my son on his blog, Facebook and YouTube.

PS: My latest CNNGo piece is 10 avantgarde performances that make you go ‘huh?’ (featuring Hanakengo from Tokyo Decadance). You can read 100+ of my CNNGo articles here.

If you would like to be the next Gothloli of the Week, please read the submission instructions here. For all your Lolita shopping needs, check out the links to clothing brands on the right column of my blog.

The next time you buy from Amazon.com, may I ask you to please consider supporting this blog by shopping via my site? Just click here and search for whatever you want from Amazon (there are no extra costs to you).

Thanks so much and please keep in touch (I love hearing from you and try to respond to everyone): RSS feed, posts in your inbox, MySpace, Facebook Group, Facebook Fan page, Twitter, YouTube, Bloglovin and Google Friend Connect (right sidebar of my blog).

† Name: Samanteina Bloodmyer
† Age: 19
† Location: England
† How were you introduced to Gothic Lolita fashion?
I grew up with Japan. My grandmama *rest her soul* and Mother raised me with a Japanese culture. My mother dressed me in Gothic Lolita dresses and my grandmama taught me about geishas and Japanese history. I myself dress mostly Sweet Lolita but do dress Gothic Lolita when I attend more formal events.

† What do you find appealing about GL style and culture?
To look like a doll or princess daily. I admire the courage and guts people have to be a lolita, as I myself am one in England and in England its very difficult to be yourself without a lot of criticism. And of course I adore dresses.
† What are your favorite Gothic Lolita clothing brands?
Moi-meme-Moitie / Angelic Pretty / Metamorphose / Secret Garden / Baby the Stars Shine Bright / Original designs (self made)
† Any other comments (inspiration, tips, favorites)?
Don’t be afraid to be who you are. Some of you may be Lolita, other may be VK to normal, but whatever you choose to do to express yourself follow your heart and stay happy. For love truly makes the world go round!

Wahh some fabulous news… I’m staying in Tokyo a bit longer… to host a CNN TV special! As you probably know, I write for CNNGo (my recent article made the CNNi front page, above). A CNN International producer asked me to take part in a new TV program, which explores pff-the-beaten-path aspects of Asia’s major cities. (There’s a preview of the Shanghai episode online.)

So I’ll be in the Tokyo CNN show… interviewing Japanese Goth designer Kenzo-A! (Above, with Kanae and me at Midnight Mess.) Kenzo-A is the mastermind behind Stigmata and now his own brand Rituals, sold in Kera Arena (Marui One) and other major stores. We’ll chat about Japan’s Gothic/underground culture, and then CNN will film his fashion show — which features EBM/Goth DJs and Visual Kei band MUCC.

SO excited that CNN will bring Tokyo’s vibrant Gothic and Visual Kei cultures to a larger audience… I’ll have photos and updates for you. The program will air 4-6 times in mid-June on CNN International, and then will be posted online.

Some Basil Farrow photos, since I miss my Scottish Fold. He’s doing well at home. Charming the pants off his grandparents and their friends.

That’s the major downside of travelling: no furry stomach to rub when you come home. All of Tokyo’s cat cafes have at least one fold-eared kitty, but none of them are as soft, round or earless as my baby…

There’s a whole lot more Basil Farrow on his blog, Facebook (add him!) and YouTube.

More French TV filming this week, followed by the CNN show. My Andrew Zimmern Bizarre Foods episode airs next next Monday, I believe. I’m loving this recent TV work. Let’s hope the cameras keep rolling!

Have you seen Kenzo-A’s Gothic fashion designs?

If you would like to be the next Gothloli of the Week, please read the submission instructions here. For all your Lolita shopping needs, check out the links to clothing brands on the right column of my blog.

If you ever buy from Amazon.com, may I ask you to please consider supporting this blog by shopping via my site? Just click here and search for whatever you want from Amazon (there are no extra costs to you).

Thanks so much and please keep in touch (I love hearing from you and try to respond to everyone): RSS feed, posts in your inbox, MySpace, Facebook Group, Facebook Fan page, Twitter, YouTube, Bloglovin and Google Friend Connect (right sidebar of my blog).

† Name: Cyril Lumboy
† Age: 20
† Location: Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
† How were you introduced to Gothic Lolita fashion?
It has been two years ago since I searched the Net for a French maid outfit for a class when I stumbled upon the website of Baby the Stars Shine Bright. As I could not purchase the extravagant elegance of the shop’s apparel, I decided to make my own accessories. Currently, I am now able to make my own dresses and be truly a Lolita.

† What do you find appealing about GL style and culture?
It is the sophisticated femininity of the style that made me fall in love with it. Moreover, as I make my own pieces, GL fashion has become the most fulfilling way of expressing myself.
† What are your favorite Gothic Lolita clothing brands?
I currently do not own any branded pieces but I would love to have a dress from Victorian Maiden.
† Any other comments (inspiration, tips, favorites)?
I thank my team for inspiring me to do my best. The Lolita shoots I have with my photographer friends China Mungcal and Czarina Gonzales and co-models Louise Anne Manuel and Camila Bastillo, have truly helped me grow both as a designer and Lolita. Lastly, I am happy that I have my Love, Enteng Olivares, to support me all in this. Indeed, it is being with people who share the same interest that really pushes someone to do one’s best!

Photos above by Chai Mungal. You can see more of her gorgeous photography on her website and in these posts: Gothic Lolita wedding and Fairy Kei photoshoots.

Film of the Week #48: The Magnificent Butcher (directed by Yuen Woo-Ping, starring Sammo Hung.) I adore 1970s Hong Kong kung fu movies. If you did a whiskey shot every time someone said “ai-yah” — or every time there was a quick camera zoom into the face — you’d be drunk by the end of the first fight sequence. Director Yuen Woo-Ping and fighter Sammo Hung bring out the best in martial arts comedy. The Magnificent Butcher has fast footwork and silly set ups: such as a battle between two masters using calligraphy brushes, and a fight between Sammo and a cat-man, maooo!

Japanese robots have been stirring discussion lately, most recently a “dental patient” android to help aspiring dentists. Modern robots tend to be of the “Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto” variety: helpful and harmless-looking, usually with round contours and a kawaii face. (“With parts made in Japan,” right?)

Fuzzy robot toys and pets have also hit the market. Above: a cheeping chick, teddy bear, and waddling winking penguin that hooks up to social networks. (You can purchase many of these novelty bots from Robot Shop.)

Domestic robots may be puttering around households soon. Inventors have programmed humanoids to cook, clean and do laundry. (There are videos in my CNNGo article about robot chefs in Asia.

What do you think of Japan’s robots? Cute and helpful, or could they snap and turn evil?

If you would like to be the next Gothloli of the Week, please read the submission instructions here. For all your Lolita shopping needs, check out the links to clothing brands on the right column of my blog.

If you ever buy from Amazon.com, may I ask you to please consider supporting this blog by shopping via my site? Just click here and search for whatever you want from Amazon (there are no extra costs to you).

Thanks so much and please keep in touch (I love hearing from you and try to respond to everyone): RSS feed, posts in your inbox, MySpace, Facebook Group, Facebook Fan page, Twitter, YouTube, Bloglovin and Google Friend Connect (right sidebar of my blog).

† Name: Jackie Mills (明美)
† Age: Year of the tiger ;)
† Location: Toronto, Ontario
† How were you introduced to Gothic Lolita fashion?
It came from many places: love for manga, Visual Kei (Mana) and Japanese culture.

† What do you find appealing about GL style and culture?
I wear Lolita because I like the modesty and frills. I wore Gothic for a long time but only Gothic Lolita can give you that real sense of cuteness. As I fell in love with the style more, I began to wear Sweet as well. I love all the styles and how they have their own influences and ideals.
† What are your favorite Gothic Lolita clothing brands?
My favourite brands have to be Baby the Stars Shine bright and Angelic Pretty, but I have a love like no other for Mana’s brand Moi-meme-moitie (if only the prices were a bit cheaper).
† Any other comments (inspiration, tips, favorites)?
A lot of Lolita girls forget this… but you don’t have to fit into the style, the style fits around you. Lolita is another forum of clothing in which to express yourself; don’t let the “rules” design it for you! I love to talk to others interested in Lolita and Gothic fashions so keep in touch (my links are above).

Film of the Week #47: The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love Thief (directed by Jake Clennell.) Oh you elusive, big-haired host boys! They accost you in the streets and try to nudge you into their dim clubs… to do what inside? This riveting documentary takes you into Rokkyu — one of Osaka’s top host clubs — and the lives of the pretty-boys who whisper sweet nothings to their customers as they open up yet another bottle of champagne.

From the start, you’ll be riveted by the techniques the boys use to string clients along: false displays of love, transparent promises. But there are twists in these bizarre relationships: who are these girls, where do they get the spending money, and are they as deluded as you initially think? The cinematography and pacing in Great Happiness Space are flawless; I hope you’ll watch it and tell me what you think! (You can get the DVD on Amazon or see it on Netflix.)

Wow, what a bunch of pricks! It’s no April Fools joke: the photos are from the Kanamara Matsuri (Festival of the Steel Phallus かなまら祭り) held last weekend. As Dlisted put it, “the small Japanese town of Kawasaki transformed their streets into looking like Gay Al Reynold’s boudoir on a hot summer night.” The bizarre tradition is centered around a penis-venerating shrine once popular among prostitutes who prayed for protection against STDs. Today, the festival is a kitschy tourist draw that raises money for HIV research. The gods would be pleased. (Photos from Dlisted, my favorite gossip blog.)

A new CNNGo article for you: Asia’s 5 most awesome live video streams. Food drooling babies, lazy cats and teen guitarists!

If you would like to be the next Gothloli of the Week, please read the submission instructions here. For all your Lolita shopping needs, check out the links to clothing brands on the right column of my blog.

If you ever buy from Amazon.com, may I ask you to please consider supporting this blog by shopping via my site? Just click here and search for whatever you want from Amazon (there are no extra costs to you).

Thanks so much and please keep in touch (I love hearing from you and try to respond to everyone): RSS feed, posts in your inbox, MySpace, Facebook Group, Facebook Fan page, Twitter, YouTube, Bloglovin and Google Friend Connect (right sidebar of my blog).

† Name: Emiliee Anne
† Age: 16
† Location: Rhode Island, U.S.
† How were you introduced to Gothic Lolita fashion?
Around the time I was in kindergarten, I fell in love with anime because of Pokemon and YuGiOh, and from there I leapt deeper into the world of manga, Pocky, and rice balls. In the process of doing that, I ran into the Lolita fashion, around fifth grade, and I’ve loved it ever since.
† What do you find appealing about GL style and culture?
I like the patterns and lacy things. I cannot go a day without wearing some kind of skirt! It’s different from what you would find everyone else wearing, and that’s why I like to dress that way. I can be easily distinguished, and never forgotten! It has also allowed me to get in touch with my inner child, to have a childhood that I never really got to have.
† What are your favorite Gothic Lolita clothing brands?
I like The White Peacock, Baby the Stars Shine Bright, Metamorphose, Blasphemy’s closet, BlaBlaHospital, basically if you show me a brand I’ll like it. But the brand isn’t all that matters. You could walk into ANY kind of store and find something, you just have to know what to look for.
† Any other comments (inspiration, tips, favorites)?
If you’re contemplating whether or not to be a Lolita, do not hesitate! Take the chance while you can because you do not know what you are missing. It is amazing and fun and unlike anything out there. There’s also so many kinds, so you’re bound to find something to like. And if you are interested, pick up one of the Gothic & Lolita Bibles because they work wonders. Go to meet-ups to meet other Gothic Lolitas, Sweet Lolitas, etc you’ll make tons of friends, and there’s also plenty of tutorial videos up on YouTube concerning Lolita fashion itself.

Film of the Week #46: Pan’s Labyrinth (directed by Guillermo del Toro.) In the height of the Spanish Civil War, sadistic Captain Vidal terrorizes his household and vows to cut apart the rebels. Young Ofelia, frightened for her pregnant mother, escapes into an underground realm and meets Pan the faun, who tests her with tasks. You will remember the feverish visuals (Vidal sewing together his gaping cheek); the sadness softened by hope and imagination… Pan’s Labyrinth is brutal yet irresistible, as fairy tales should be.

In general, I am not a fan of tattoos. The skin art above (courtesy Hello Kitty Hell) is, of course, on the far side of horrid. But too often, I see people end up with banal or badly-inked tattoos, or something “trendy” that quickly devolves into embarrassing…

Here are some general observations. Almost all of my friends who were tattooed in their teens regretted that decision later. Mostly because they went to a sub-par (read: cheap) parlor and didn’t put any thought into the design.

When tattoos are masterfully rendered and have meaning, I think they are rather neat — such as yantra tattoos (above). The sacred art is done by hand in Southeast Asia by shamans or Buddhist monks. The process is more painful, but is considered to be a spiritual experience that conveys powers of protection.

Your thoughts on tattoos: ow or ooh-la-la? Tips on avoiding bad skin art? For more photos of Asian tattoos and ink conventions, check out these articles on CNNGo.

If you would like to be the next Gothloli of the Week, please read the submission instructions here. For all your Lolita shopping needs, check out the links to clothing brands on the right column of my blog.

If you ever buy from Amazon.com, may I ask you to please consider supporting this blog by shopping via my site? Just click here and search for whatever you want from Amazon (there are no extra costs to you).

Thanks so much and please keep in touch (I love hearing from you and try to reply to/add back everyone): RSS feed, posts in your inbox, MySpace, Facebook Group, Facebook Fan page, Twitter, YouTube, Bloglovin and Google Friend Connect (right sidebar of my blog).

† Name: Gwendylyn Thompson
† Age: 31
† Location: California, USA
† How were you introduced to Gothic Lolita fashion?
You and your gorgeous blog! GL style and culture has always been part of my style but it developed through your blog.
† What do you find appealing about GL style and culture?
I love the thrill of the frills. I adore the Victorian and Baroque aspects of this style.
† What are your favorite Gothic Lolita clothing brands?
Lady Heather’s Fashions, Gloomth, Baby the Stars Shine Bright, Angelic Pretty, Innocent World, and many more… Gloomth is my new favorite shopping destination.

Film of the Week #45: Tadpole (directed by Gary Winick, starring Aaron Stanford, Sigourney Weaver, Bebe Neuwirth.) Aaron Stanford’s best role remains his big-screen debut in Tadpole. Oscar Grubman is a precocious, Voltaire-quoting 15-year-old who’s in love with his stepmother, Eve. Over Thanksgiving, things get complicated when he winds up in an affair with Eve’s sultry friend — also in her 40s! The protagonist of Tadpole and Patrick Fugit in Almost Famous are two of my favorite movie males — ever. The next time you’re on Netflix or in the video store, look for both films; they’ll charm your pants off.

CNNGo.com is the most epic Asia pop culture site on the net — and I’m not just saying that because I write for them! We’ve got articles about the most creative Bangkok cocktails, Japanese convenience store taste tests, photos of Shanghai at 3am, Singapore vintage shopping guides… if you haven’t seen the CNN project yet, please check it out (all my articles are posted here).

Time for a long overdue round of “Kawaii or Ai-yah,” featuring content from CNNGo. First up, Durian Boy. That’s right: Singapore’s World Expo 2010 mascot is a “hyper cheery, super thorny and modeled after a stinky fruit.” The little boy wears red overalls emblazoned with a picture of the Merlion and wears a durian-shaped cap. Pewwww… what do you say, kawaii or ai-yah?

Let’s move on to sweets made from insects. “Komatsuya Honten, a bakery and confectionery shop located in Akita Prefecture, debuted a series of cakes and candies modeled on the larval and adult forms of the rhinoceros beetle.” Would you squeal kawaii and take a bite? Or run away screaming ai-yah?

Finally, CNNGo wrote about Kirsten Dunst’s Akihabara Majokko Princess PV shoot. “Piling cliché upon cliché, director McG, artist Takashi Murakami and the actress team up for a music video of the Vapors’ classic Turning Japanese.” Kirsten Dunst dancing around in a skimpy Sailor Moon-type dress and blue wig: kawaii or ai-yah?

If you would like to be the next Gothloli of the Week, please read the submission instructions here. For all your Lolita shopping needs, check out the links to clothing brands on the right column of my blog.

If you ever buy from Amazon.com, may I ask you to please consider supporting this blog by shopping via my site? Just click here and search for whatever you want from Amazon (there are no extra costs to you).

Thanks so much and please keep in touch (I love hearing from you and try to reply to/add back everyone): RSS feed, posts in your inbox, MySpace, Facebook Group, Facebook Fan page, Twitter, YouTube, Bloglovin and Google Friend Connect.

† Name: Carolyn
† Age: 24
† Location: New England
† How were you introduced to Gothic Lolita fashion?
I discovered Lolita sometime in 2003 when I saw some art featuring Lolitas. I thought it was adorable so I Googled the name and found out that it was something real people wore and I fell in love.
† What do you find appealing about GL style and culture?
The decadent aesthetic is definitely what I love about it. I love how over the top the ruffles and poof are, and how you can never be too overdressed.
† What are your favorite Gothic Lolita clothing brands?
Definitely Baby, The Stars Shine Bright — most of my Lolita clothes are Baby. I also am a fan of h.NAOTO, Black Peace Now, Atlier Boz, and Juliette et Justine.
† Any other comments (inspiration, tips, favorites)?
Share your love of Lolita with everyone! Let friends borrow your clothes, be active in the online community, start a blog (shameless plug for my blog, F*ck Yeah Lolita), go to meetups, or just do something silly like go to a fancy restaurant by yourself in your frilly finery. The fashion is so much more rewarding when you are sharing it with other people, even if it’s just online.

Film of the Week #44: Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl. Movie review by Le Comte de Sang (who you may remember from our various absinthe, Gackt and Moi dix Mois adventures). He begins with a quote:

“The human body contains over 12 gallons of blood, sometimes more, under high pressure.” -The Laws of Anime

While it may not be anime, this maxim certainly holds true for Naoyuki Tomomatsu and Yoshihiro Nishimura’s no-holds-barred, ultraviolent gore-fest. Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl is guaranteed to have viewers alternating between winces and belly laughs for the whole, twisted ride. This should come as no surprise, considering the kings of Japanese splattercamp who assembled to bring us this all-out sensory assault. Nishimura is already notorious among international film festival circles for his directorial work on Tokyo Gore Police and special effects on Machine Girl. TGP’s Taku Sakaguchi provided fight choreography. Throw in Machine Girl’s Tsuyoshi Kazuno on visual effects and an appearance by Ju-On director Takashi Shimizu, and let the fake blood pour down like rain.

And pour it does in this tale of a high school love triangle, which leaves all sanity and reason at the door. Transfer student Monami (Yukie Kawamura) gives her classmate Mizushima (Takumi Saito) a (literally) bloody Valentine’s Day chocolate, which initiates his transformation into one of the living dead! As it turns out, Monami is a vampire with her sights set on Mizushima, but unfortunately our high school stud is already reluctantly involved with Keiko (Eri Otoguro), a hotheaded Lolita who is used to getting her way. Enter Keiko’s Kabuki-clad mad scientist father with Frankensteinian ambitions and a host of outrageous characters, including the Wrist Cutting Club and a gang of blackface Ganguro, and you have the sanguinary formula for a head-splattering, gut-wrenching, bone-crunching battle for love and the lust for blood.

In the midst of this low-budget bloodbath, there is some decent narrative and respectable acting. Yukie Kawamura plays the part of the somewhat coquettish vampire effectively, but is overshadowed by Eri Otoguro’s intense performance as the schoolgirl equivalent of old Victor’s Monster. Eihi Shiina (Tokyo Gore Police, Audition) makes a cameo as Monami’s mother to do battle with a historical personage whose identity is too good to spoil here. Mizushima’s narrations seem intrusive and out of place at first, but their presence serves to add just the right turn of the screw at the film’s bloody conclusion.

On the other hand, the visuals are good for laughs but often little else, and while they serve to drive the film forward stylistically, they don’t seem to bring anything new to the table or manage to match the bizarre and grotesque vagaries of Tokyo Gore Police. In the end, however, the film accomplishes what it sets out to do. Blatant continuity issues? Complete and utter lack of regard for even the most basic laws of physics? These are just par for the course for Nishimura and his crew. If you find yourself wondering how a severed forearm screwed to a person’s head can serve as a propeller to fly up to the observation deck of Tokyo Tower, take the advice of MST3K, and “think to yourself, ‘it’s just a show’…you should really just relax.” VG vs. FG is terrible in the best ways possible… see it with friends, you won’t regret it!

Last but not least… announcing the winner of the Akina art book giveaway! We asked you to solve a riddle: Pressed to sweetness / Dark as night / Seeks a handful / Catches light / Your entry to / Such great delights. (Photo source)

Your wonderful guesses included: “Is it a candy jar/ cookie jar?” “The gate to Charlie’s chocolate factory?” “Chocolate?” “Red wine?” “Greed?” “Akina’s spooky new book?”

The answer… which several of you got… is “The Golden Ticket”! And the winner (by random selection) is Re Al-Emleh. Thank you to everyone who participated!

If you would like to be the next Gothloli of the Week, please read the submission instructions here. For all your Lolita shopping needs, check out the links to clothing brands on the right column of my blog.

If you are purchasing from Amazon.com, may I ask you to please consider supporting this blog by buying via my site? Just click here and search for whatever you want from Amazon (there are no extra costs to you).

Thanks so much and please keep in touch (I do my best to respond to messages): RSS feed, posts in your inbox, MySpace, Facebook Group, Facebook Fan page, Twitter, YouTube, Bloglovin and Google Friend Connect.

† Name: Maya (Nadia Capella)
† Age: 15
† Location: Buenos Aires
† How were you introduced to Gothic Lolita fashion?
In my school, a girl had the Gothic Lolita style … The title of her photoblog was something with the words “Lolita Heart” and when I searched on Google for “Gothic Lolita,” it showed me pictures of many brands and style … I loved it from the moment, it’s beautiful. That was three years ago and from then on, I loved the style.
† What do you find appealing about GL style and culture?
When I was little I loved clothes decorated with bows… and when I saw Lolita dresses I knew they were for me. The prints, accessories, shoes, socks… all fascinated me from the beginning.
† What are your favorite Gothic Lolita clothing brands?
Victorian Maiden, h.NAOTO, Juliette et Justine, Despair, Visible, Innocent World, Alice and the Pirates, Atelier BOZ, BlaBlaHospital… I like all brands, but those are the best (for me).
† Any other comments (inspiration, tips, favorites)?
One of the things I like most is to make my clothes. I encourage girls and boys to try making your own clothing, without caring about what others think. Innovate, be creative. And the same goes with make-up: play with shadows and eyeliners, with lipstick and glitter.

Film of the Week #43: Almost Famous (Kate Hudson, Patrick Fugit, dir. Cameron Crowe) is on my list of favorite movies of all time. After I first saw it in the theaters, I went on a mission to find a fluffy coat just like Penny Lane’s! A teen reporter and groupies (sorry, Band-Aids) tag along with a Led Zeppelin-like band on tour in the early 70s… scandal and drama and hilarity ensue. It’s based on the director’s real-life experiences as a precocious writer for Rolling Stone. I could go on and on about the grand performances (Phillip Seymour Hoffman as music critic Lester Bangs) and aww moments (like the “let’s go to Morocco” scene).

And how cute was Patrick Fugit as the wide-eyed fifteen year old?? Don’t you just want to corrupt him? Watch Almost Famous if you haven’t already. I haven’t met a single person who hasn’t dug it.

If you would like to be the next Gothloli of the Week, please read the submission instructions here. For all your Lolita shopping needs, check out the links to clothing brands on the right column of my blog.

If you are purchasing from Amazon.com, may I ask you to please consider supporting this blog by buying via my site? Just click here and search for whatever you want from Amazon (there are no extra costs to you).

Thanks so much and please keep in touch (I do my best to respond to messages): RSS feed, posts in your inbox, MySpace, Facebook Group, Facebook Fan page, Twitter, YouTube, Bloglovin and Google Friend Connect.

Hope to see you at our Lunar New Year + Purikura Jpop party, Saturday Feb 13 in LA! Come out on Saturday, February 13th at Kira Kira, a sparkling photo-sticker shop with all of the newest Purikura machines from Japan! The special event will be hosted by Harajuku fashion and Cute Food blogger La Carmina. The DJs from Tune in Tokyo will also be there, spinning the best in J-Pop, J-Rock, and Global Dance Pop all night long.

There will also be prizes and giveaways sponsored by Hear Japan, Lime Crime, and Gloomth. You can win Visual Kei music downloads, magic dust eyeshadows and certificates for Gothic Victorian clothing. (Photo of Carmina by Shichi; flyer by Greg.)

WHEN: TONIGHT! Saturday, Feb 13th, 8PM – 12 AM. Free and all ages.
WHERE: Kira Kira is located at the Seasons Place shopping center in City of Industry (2nd floor, above Red Mango). There’s plenty of free parking.
RSVP on Los Angeles Going or Facebook.

† Name: Lindsay Jensen (various characters/outfits have their own names)
† Age: 20
† Location: Los Angeles, CA
† How were you introduced to Gothic Lolita fashion?
I first saw a picture of Mana in 7th or 8th grade, and immediately was attracted to the sheer beauty of the style.
† What do you find appealing about GL style and culture?
It can be very ethereal to me, even with sub-styles that are darker, and I appreciate the hard work that goes into looking the way they do.
† What are your favorite Gothic Lolita clothing brands?
Moi-meme-moitie, h.NAOTO.
† Any other comments (inspiration, tips, favorites)?
If you haven’t been to an actual GL store in Japan, get your butt over there right now. There is nothing like walking into a department store full of gorgeous dresses and shoes. PS: The pink dress is from a music video I worked on a few years ago for an artist called Judamang who does frequent shows all over Los Angeles, especially in Hollywood. The dress was actually designed by me, and we went in to pick out the fabric and patterns ourselves, then headed to a seamstress! The doll seen briefly in the video is my BJD, Ariel, who is actually a boy.

Film of the Week #42: Hausu (directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi. Thank you to New York’s IFC Center for sending me the DVD.) Hausu or House was co-written by Obayashi’s seven year old daughter, which is why it plays out like an acid trip. (Remember my LSD-like childhood drawings? Why do children have psychedelic imaginations?) The dreamy rainbow “horror-dorama” centers on a group of teen schoolgirls named after their dominant traits: Gorgeous, Melody, Kung Fu, Fantasy, Prof, and Mack (the one who loves to eat). They visit Gorgeous’s spinster aunt who rolls around in a wheelchair while stroking her white cat. Suddenly, the acid kicks in: a watermelon turns into a floating head in a well, mattresses and pianos attack… Those of you with a twisted sense of humor and love of strong visuals, you’ve got to watch Hausu. If you’ve seen it, who was your favorite girl? Kung Fu was mine. As someone on IMDB commented, “She was hot and she kicked haunted house @$$ all over the place, so naturally I was like wtf when she got killed/eaten by that lamp.” Wahh!

CNNGO published an exclusive, original cute recipe of mine: Winking Coconut Gelatin. Healthy and refreshing — and adorable. Also from the 4-part series: Penguin Onigiri and Tiger Chicken Tikka Masala. There’s info about my cute cookbook on this page — please consider checking it out, so that I can continue to put out books for you!

Other recent articles on CNNGo (all of them are found here)
† Unconventional conventions: Asia’s most intriguing trade shows of 2010. Our wonderful “I Am Sebastien” is quoted.
† Take five for Asia’s jazz festivals in 2010. Bill Evans, Christian McBride and others are coming…

If you would like to be the next Gothloli of the Week, please read the submission instructions here. For all your Lolita shopping needs, check out the links to clothing brands on the right column of my blog.

If you are purchasing from Amazon.com, may I ask you to please consider supporting this blog by buying via my site? Just click here and search for whatever you want from Amazon (there are no extra costs to you).

Thanks so much and please keep in touch (I do my best to respond to messages): RSS feed, posts in your inbox, MySpace, Facebook Group, Facebook Fan page, Twitter, YouTube, Bloglovin and Google Friend Connect.

Hope to see you at our Lunar New Year + Purikura Jpop party, Feb 13 in LA! RSVP on Los Angeles Going or Facebook.